Editorial

There really shouldn't be any surprise at this: Teens who watch Sex in the City, and similar type shows, are more likely to get pregnant.

That headline hit the national newspapers this week to some fanfare but, unfortunately, no call to arms. Television programming will certainly not be affected by such a revelation. We're way beyond that. The best we can hope for is that parents will once again be reminded about their roles in monitoring just what it is that their children are taking in — whether it's from the TV, their Ipods or the Internet.

In a debate held this week, Bedford Elementary students took the initiative to study and learn about the issues of this year's presidential election by thoughtfully considering the candidates' positions on those issues. The students' arguments were well researched and thought out. Let's hope the adults of this community — and this country — are willing to take that same initiative as they get ready for the Nov. 4 election. And then let's hope they turn out and vote.

In a letter written by Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, Franklin said: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Taxes may be a certainty for every American, but complicated taxes shouldn’t be. Today’s tax code is unfair, discourages against savings and investment, and is impossibly complex. We can all agree that the current tax system is broken, and keeping it is not in America’s best interest. We need a less burdensome tax code which will ultimately benefit our national economy and our hard working citizens.

On Oct. 16 representatives of TCRC, SMLA, Marine Fire and Rescue, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Chamber of Commerce, marina operators and residents of Smith Mountain Lake traveled to Richmond to attend the State Water Control Board (SWCB) meeting.